January 3, 2024 edition

75¢

Saying goodbye to 2023. (See pictures on p. 6.)

Volume 123 Number 1 - USPS 225-680

Community Calendar of Events

Biscoe EHC meeting 10:30 a.m.

Biscoe Baptist Church Tuesday January 9 Caregiver Support Group Senior Center 10:00 a.m.

Hornets vs Kipp Hornets’ Nest 5:00 p.m.

Thursday January 11 De Valls Bluff City Council meeting 6:00 p.m.

City Hall Monday January 15 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Local & county offices will be closed Thursday January 25 Hazen City Council meeting 6:00 p.m.

Hazen City Hall Food Distribution Hazen Methodist Church Drive Through 10:00 a.m.-Noon

January

Twenty-eight tombstones were repaired and restored at the historic Hickory Plains Cemetery.

Funds ($2,700) were raised at the Cemetery Walk held in the previous spring and from donations. The Carlisle High School cheer squad was named the state 2A runner up.

Gigi’s Daycare opens in Carlisle. DeValls Bluff receives grants to update its water system.

February In February, the Slovak Oyster Supper was named on of the AR Food Hall of Fame finalists.

ASU Beebe names its new gym in honor of DAHS alumna, Jeannie Lindsey. The Hazen Police Department confiscates 111 pounds of drugs from an interstate bust.

Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak celebrates Slovak Heritage Day. March The Des Arc Eagle Eye Archery Team heads to state. Des Arc Schools receive a $16,600 check from PEER (Promoting Education Effectiveness in Rural Arkansas. A homicide was investigated in DeValls Bluff. The Hazen Methodist men

Please call F&M Bank (255-3042) or The Grand Prairie Herald (255-4538) to list events.

the retiring Donnie Booth.

May Mattie Alberson is crowned Miss Hazen.

Sportsmen and citizens express concerns about the AGFC harvestin timber on the Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area. Civil War soldiers are given last rites in

Hickory Plains ceremony.

The Carlisle City Council asks for changes after receiving the results of an AR legislative audit.

Carlisle Bison track teams win 2A-6 conference title at Harding.

June The T. J. and Robin English family is chosen as Prairie County’s Farm Family of the Year. The City of Hazen holds its

annual fishing derby.

Former Hazen Hornets quarterback Luke King is named the MVP of the Fellowsip of Christian Athletes All-Star game.

The Family Dollar/Dollar Tree store opens in Hazen. Kinslea Fowler is recognized as an Arkansas 4-H Teen Star for outstanding achievement in 4-H projects. The Des Arc Lions Club celebrates 70 years of community service. Maple Healthcare celebrates CNA Week with Aloha Luau. The City of Des Arc enters into a solar service agreement with Des Arc Solar Partnership, LLC, owned

by Dare Saul.

July Des Arc celebrates Steamboat Days on the

hold their shrimp supper.

The HHS football team is presented with championship rings for their 2022 state championship.

HHS sophomores hold their annual auction.

April Tornados hit Arkansas, passing through the Hickory Plains and Walter’s Chapel areas.

Dave Hare is sworn in as

Community events brought to you by Hazen Chamber of Commerce and the

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

2023 - What a year it was!

Thursday January 4 Bingo Hazen Public Library 11:00 a.m.

Monday January 8 Hazen Schools classes begin

Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie

a new member of the Hazen School Board.

Students from HHS, DAHS, and CHS win awards at state STAR Events. Local FFA and 4H students provide aid to Wynne High School after tornados destroyed it. The Prairie County Quorum Court settles its lawsuit with former Dispatcher Kayla Jackson. Hazen Schools hires Superintendent Andy Barrett to replace

White River. The Lonoke Master Gardeners hold a “Meet the Masters” event in Carlisle. Local author, Nicole Smith, presents her debut book “What Can I Do When My Mood Is So Blue.” The Prairie County Library hosts “Popsicles with the Police.”

The Prairie County 4-H and the Master Gardeners come together for a Green Thumb Camp. The Bison Baseball Team finishes

Swarm finish fourth in the USSSA national tourney.

August Des Arc Palace Drug is sold to Peyton and Ashley Harvey. Outside restoration is begun on the Hazen Kocourek building. The Grand Prairie Country Club holds its Club Championship Tournament.

Karan Skarda is sworn in as Prairie County’s new Assessor. The DeValls

Eagles and Hazen Hornets celebrate Homecoming.

DeValls Bluff High School alumni hold their annual banBluff Council approves establishing an auxiliary police force. Local author, Leah Brewer holds a book-signing event at the Lilypad in Des Arc. Hazen police find 148 pounds of marijuana in a routine traffic stop.

Heavy storms cause damage across Prairie County. Barbara Phillips is honored as the 2023 Fraternalist of the Year at the WoodmenLife’s annual regional meeting.

A blue supermoon makes its appearance on August

30th.

September Work on the White River Irrigation District Phase 1 project continues. The Des Arc Eagles beat the

lose to EPC in the state

football semi-finals.

Carlisle “decks the halls”

with city-wide decorations.

December Maple Healthcare donates 100 turkeys to local food banks and senior centers. Local FCCLA students compete in

quet. Prairie Chapel Missionary Baptist Church honors Pastor Maurice Williams on his three year anniversary.

CHS has Homecoming.

Hazen Chamber of Commerce Rice Festival is held indoors due to rain. Hazen holds “Trunk or Treat” Halloween event.

November Des Arc celebrates Christmas on the River.

Carlisle participates in Wreaths Across America.

regional STAR Events.

Des Arc’s Berry Insurance sold to Lennox Insurance.

Prairie County Quorum Court receives state audit results.

The Grand Prairie Daughters of the American Revolution fill gift bags for the Restoration of Hope Women/Children Shelter in Stuttgart. Carlisle FCCLA members attend

the Southern Fall Leadership Conference.

Hazen’s Christmas in the defending state champion Hazen Hornets in overtime, ending the Hornets 14-game winning streak.

Harvest time begins on the Grand Prairie. Sue

Price, Lexi Nicholas, Maci Sickel, Christa Tiner, and Shawna Parnell are named the Prairie County Fair Queens. The Prairie County Master Gardeners hold their annual pumpkin sale. A parade in Des Arc kicks

49° as state runner-up. The former DeValls Bluff Fire Chief, Kelly Hutchison, is arrested for theft of fireworks money.The Hazen

off the Prairie County Fair. The City of Hazen raises gas rates, and Des Arc changes its gas provider.

October The landmark Matthews/Camp doctor’s office is torn down in Hazen. The Des Arc

29°

4%

Bison edge out Hornets to win the 2A-4 conference. HHS holds college fair.

DeValls Bluff Oakland Cemetery undergoes restoration.

Hazen holds “Holidays in Hazen shopping event.

Miss Merry Christmas Pageant held in Des Arc. Hazen Chamber goes all out decorating for the Christmas season. Bison

46° 30°

7%

43° 35° 84%

Park is a big success. Des Arc approves rate increases for water and sewer. Chad Greenwalt takes over for Debbie Carlisle on the Hazen School Board. The Des Arc Eagle Eyes Archery Team participates in Reindeer Classic Tournament in Bryant and the Brookland Bullseye Bash. Abigail Owens kills two deer with one shot on her first hunting trip. HES students participate in Service Day.

48° 37°

24%

53° 39° 9%

Page 2 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Skarda promoted by FBI Rooker Lee Foster Chudy Rooker Lee Foster Chudy went to be with her Lord and family on December 21, 2023 at the age of 94. “Rook” as she was affectionally known was a lifelong resident of Hazen, Arkansas. She was an exceptional basketball player in her High School days at Hazen, making All-State her Jr. and Sr. years.

Upon graduating High School, Rook had a chance to sign a two year contract with the legendary Hazel Walker basketball team and tour the country playing basketball, but instead, she married the love of her life, Connie Chudy to become a farmers wife.

Rook always loved sports, card games, dominos, and she was an exceptional bridge player. She enjoyed baking with the baking crew at St. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak. She loved her times spent being a sport mom for her son and grandsons and traveling with Connie to Olive Branch, Illinois, during Canada Goose season.

She always enjoyed meeting new people.

Rook was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Mary Ruth Selig, and her husband, Connie after 72 years of marriage.

Rook is survived by her son, Steve Chudy and wife, Shelia of Hazen; grandsons, Andy

Arkansas Press Association Member 2023

The

Grand Prairie Herald (USPS) 225-680 The Grand Prairie Herald is an independent publication that has served Prairie County since December, 1901. It is published weekly by

Herald Publishing Company P.O. Box 370 111 Hwy 70 E Hazen, Arkansas 72064 Ph. 870-255-4538 Email: heraldpublishing@gmail.com

(Laura) Chudy of Plano, Texas and Alan Chudy of Hazen; her greatgrandchildren, Anthony Chudy and Kate Chudy of Plano, Texas and a very special niece and nephew, Lyla West of DeWitt and Rick Selig of Maumelle.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Chambers Nursing and Rehab Center in Carlisle for the exceptional care that Rook received over the past year and one half.

Chambers was Rook’s second home and she loved all of them.

Funeral services for Rooker will be Wednesday, January 3, 2023 at St. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak.

Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. to 10:15 followed by Rosary at 10:30 and funeral service at 11:00 A.M. Burial will be in the Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church Cemetery in Slovak. Pallbearers will be Andy Chudy, Alan Chudy, Eddie Ciganek, Terry Ciganek, Earl Sanders, and Rick Selig.

Laura Idell Coleman Laura Idell Coleman, 85 of England, Arkansas died Sunday December 31, 2023.

She was a devoted member of t h e England Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Boyd Coleman, Sr, daughter Karen Coleman, and grandson Jacob Cade Coleman.

Laura is survived by her sons: James B Coleman, Jr. (Donna) of Hazen, and Craig Coleman (Ronda) of DeWitt.

Grandsons: James Caleb Coleman (Becca) of Bryant, and Garrett Coleman (Kelly Jo) of DeWitt.

Great Granddaughters: Cailey, Livvy and Kaia (Caleb), and Great Grandsons: Charles Craig and Grant (Garrett) Visitation at 1:00pm and Funeral at 2:00pm Tuesday January 2, 2023 at Roller England Funeral Home in England.

Woodrow S. Hill Jr. Woodrow S. Hill Jr. age 79 of Hazen passed away Saturday,

December 30, 2023, at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock. Woody was born in Cheyenne, Wy o m i n g on May 24, 1944, to Woody and Clarene Hill.

He graduated from Hazen High School and attended Ouachita Baptist College where he played football. He went on to attend pharmacy school at Northeast Louisiana University. Upon graduation he returned to Hazen and joined his dad as a pharmacist at Woody’s Pharmacy. He also worked at Harvest Foods Pharmacy in Forest City and Kroger Pharmacy in North Little Rock before retiring.

Woody married the love of his life on February 22, 1974. They were looking forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Woody enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He and Cindy spent many summers with their family camping at Lake Ouachita and boating on the White River.

He loved fishing and spent many days golfing after retirement.

When grandchildren came along he fixed up the backyard with a pool and many days were spent swimming and playing with the grandkids.

Woody was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Tracey Hill.

He is survived by his loving wife Cindy Hill, son Andy Hill, daughter Nanette Belford (Scotty) of Hazen, and Candy Straus of Stuttgart.

Nine grandchildren Parker (Brittany) Aycock, Taylor (Jordan) Taulton, Dakota (Ashleigh) Aycock, Maverick Aycock, Colton (Britni) Rutherford, Mary Grace Straus, Kit Straus, Austin Hill and Haley Long. Four great grandchildren Rhett Aycock, Lincoln Hill, Bo Rutherford and Knox Aycock. One brother Bobby (Julie) Hill of Conway.

Services were held Tuesday, January 2, 2023, at Calvary Baptist Church in Hazen.

Visitation was from 1:00-2:00 pm followed by the funeral at 2:00 pm.

Joseph A. Skarda Assistant Special Agent in Charge (AOR) that covered 21 counties in east Arkansas. Skarda oversaw operations in the Marion and Jonesboro Resident Agencies.

Skarda led the effort to establish the Northeast Arkansas Safe Streets Task Force to address needed resources to fight violent crime within the AOR. Skarda was the Program Coordinator for Tr a n s n a t i o n a l Organized Crime – Western Hemisphere investigations from 2019 to 2022.

Skarda also served as the Private Sector Coordinator for the division from 2022

to 2023.

Skarda returned to the field as a Special Agent investigating counterintelligence matters in Memphis Division in 2023.

Born and raised in Arkansas, Skarda holds a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Arkansas and a Master of B u s i n e s s Administration degree from Mississippi State University. He is the son of Shirley Reinhart of Stuttgart and the late Gary Skarda.

The staff at Herald Publishing Company Wishes Everyone a Very Prosperous and Happy New Year!

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Periodicals Postage paid at Hazen, Arkansas 72064 POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Grand Prairie Herald P.O.Box 370 Hazen, Arkansas 72064

Managing Editor/Publisher Roxanne Bradow Circulation/Accounts Trudy Johnson Sports Editor Mark Buffalo Correspondent Lisa Mills Correspondent Debbye Harrison Photographer Ruth Corley

In November 2023, Joseph Skarda was promoted to Oklahoma City Division as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge over Branch I. Skarda will manage three criminal squads in HQC, four Resident Agencies in the Western Judicial District of Oklahoma, Admin, SSG, and Security.

Skarda entered on duty with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent in 2004.

Skarda was initially assigned to Jackson Division, where he worked White Collar Crime and International Terrorism cases. Skarda was awarded the Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Fraud Prevention in 2006 for investigative activity after Hurricane Katrina.

In 2008, Skarda rotated to Los Angeles Division and investigated Major Corporate and Securities Fraud.

Skarda transferred to Little Rock Division, El Dorado Resident Agency, in 2011 to work criminal investigations.

Skarda was selected as a Supervisory Special Agent in the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters in 2012.

From 2012 to 2014, Skarda was assigned to the International Terrorism Operations Section I/CONUS III as the Program Manager of counterterrorism investigations in Louisville, Indianapolis, and Detroit Divisions.

Skarda was named Supervisory Senior Resident Agent in Little Rock Division in 2014.

Skarda supervised both criminal and national security matters in an area of responsibility

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Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Bison go 0-2 in tourney host England Wednesday

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor The Carlisle Bison played two tough teams in the Clarendon Lions Holiday Tournament last week, losing to host Clarendon and Barton.

Against Clarendon in the first round, the Bison fell 67-53.

The Bison led 12-8 after one quarter, but the Lions rallied in the second quarter to lead 30-26 at halftime. The Bison did not go away,

outscoring the Lions 1918 in the third quarter.

Clarendon then put the game away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Carlisle 19-8.

Kaidon Clingmon led the Bison with 17 points. Bentley Parker had 13. Scoring eight each were Isaiah Powell, Lawson Petrus and Cajuan Pernell.

In a 61-34 loss to Barton, the Bison trailed 13-10 after but led 27-25 at halftime.

Carlisle scored only seven points in the second half — all in the third quarter — as Barton scored 36 points.

Petrus led the Bison with 12 points.

Clingmon had nine.

Powell had seven.

Scoring two each were Parker, Luke Caviness and Caleb Croucher.

The Bison host England on Wednesday night before hosting a rematch with Barton on Friday night.

Lady Bison get one in Clarendon tourney

By Mark Buffalo Sports Editor The Carlisle Lady Bison basketball team went 1-2 in the Clarendon Lions Holiday Classic last week.

Carlisle’s lone win came over Marianna 6329. They also lost to Helena-West Helena Central and Harrisburg.

In the win over Marianna, Calrisle led 13-10 after one quarter and 30-15 at halftime.

Paige Chadwick led the Lady Bison with 20 points. Heather Buffalo

Commander Brig. Gen. Peeples visits White River Irrigation District had 11. Bailey Dawson aled 16-12 after one and Morgan Jones had eight points each. Angie Petrus scored six.

Atlantis Blancett had five. Paige Lee scored three. Wisdom Owens had two.

In the first game of the tournament, Carlisle lost to West Helena 5019.

Buffalo led the Lady Bison with six points.

Scoring four each were Petrus, Chadwick and Dawson. Jones added a free throw.

In a 50-40 loss to Harrisburg, Carlisle tri-

quarter and 25-15 at halftime. Carlisle was outscored 17-10 in the third quarter to trailed 42-25 heading into the final eight minutes.

Buffalo and Dawson led Carlisle with 14 points each. Petrus had four.

Chadwick three.

Blancett added a free throw.

Carlisle hosts England on Wednesday night then hosts league leader Barton on Friday night, before hosting PalestineWheatley next Tuesday.

State Capitol Week in Review From Senator Ronald Caldwell LITTLE ROCK – In 2023 the legislature enacted major changes to state laws affecting the operations of public schools and state prisons.

The centerpiece of the 2023 session was the LEARNS Act, a proposal by the governor to make school choice more affordable, raise teacher salaries and train high school students for wellpaid jobs even if they choose not to go to college.

It raises minimum teacher pay from $36,000 to $50,000. That benefits 15,249 teachers.

It provides a raise of $2,000 for veteran teachers. Also, teachers are now eligible for 12 weeks of paid maternity leave. There are financial incentives of up to $10,000 for teachers who excel in the classroom.

The act created Education Freedom Accounts to help parents pay for tuition at private or parochial schools.

The initial amount proposed would be 90 percent of per pupil foundation rate of $7,413 this year. It repealed the cap on charter schools and removed the limit on school choice transfers.

Schools with poor results on school report cards will be able to hire an additional 120 literacy coaches. The

families of students who are struggling in kindergarten through grade three can apply for $500 to hire a tutor.

Literacy standards for K-3 are tougher, so that more students read at grade level before they move up to fourth grade.

It expands school safety measures, such as more training in crisis response and mental health awareness.

To better prepare high schoolers for the workforce, it directs high schools to offer dual course tracks. Students can choose career training for highly-paid jobs, or an academic college preparatory curriculum.

Beginning in 2026, high school students must complete 75 hours of community service in order to graduate.

Also this year the legislature approved Act 659, the Protect Arkansas Act. It lengthens prison sentences for violent offenders and requires inmates to work harder to qualify for parole.

One goal is to provide juries with more accurate information about the length of the actual prison sentences time that convicted criminals are truly going to serve.

Criminals convicted of rape and capital murder would serve 100 percent of their sentences. The 100 percent standard also applies to aggravat-

ed robb e r y , human trafficking, Internet stalking of a child and more serious categories of aggravated residential burglary.

Offenders would serve 85 percent of their sentence after conviction for a long list of violent felonies, including second degree murder and first degree sexual assault.

Making offenders serve longer sentences would bring Arkansas sentencing guidelines more in line with those used by federal prisons, where people convicted of federal crimes serve almost all of their sentence.

The legislature approved funding for more prison beds to more effectively implement Act 659, and to reduce overcrowding in county jails that hold state inmates. On a typical day, county jails house about 2,000 convicted state inmates, creating dangers for jail staff and people in jail for minor offenses.

Prison reform will be a major issue in 2024 because the governor, the attorney general and the Board of Correction are in a highly publicized legal dispute over how quickly those beds can be opened.

IF YOU’RE NOT SUBSCRIBING TO The

White River Irrigation District Board President Dan Hooks (left) speaks with Army Corp of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division Commander Brig. Gen. Kimberly Peeples Wednesday, Nov. 29 during her tour of the pump station near DeValls Bluff.

Grand Prairie Herald

YOU’RE MISSING OUT ON THE NEWS. THAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU! We’ve got news about your friends and neighbors, news you won’t get anywhere else!

By Leigh VanHouten Army Corp of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division Commander Brig. Gen. Kimberly Peeples recently met with White River Irrigation District (WRID) administration and board members.

General Peeples was on a visit of the Army Corp of Engineers Memphis District. She met with the district’s leadership, took a Mississippi River channel improvement tour, visited the Ensley Engineer Yard (EEY) barge stringout and spent time talking with district workers.

General Peeples also visited the district’s two active groundwater projects - Bayou Meto and Grand Prairie.

“We look forward to doing this together. We are here,” Peeples said during the introduction before touring the pump station located off the White River in DeValls

Bluff.

Memphis District Commander Colonel Brian Sawser stated, “It is our job to get water in that reservoir and we will,” referring to the Grand Prairie Irrigation Demonstration Project regulating reservoir on Webb Lake Road.

“My conclusion is: 1: Entergy has been formally engaged and funded to provide electrical power to the pump station by Spring 2025; 2: NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) and WRID will have the canal ready to receive water as far west as the Hazen Airport by Spring 2025; 3: The Corps of Engineers will have the pump station pumping water into the regulating reservoir by that time,” Dennis Carman, WRID director and chief engineer explained.

“Pumping water from the river onto the Grand

Prairie is a major milestone and I am confident we will meet that goal.”

According to Carman, once all pipelines are complete approximately 40,000 acres of cropland will be served for a total project of about 250,000 acres.

“We will be adding additional increments and acres as resources and time permits,” Carman explained.

Each partner on the project is working toward the end goal.

“We are all working together, each doing their part, to make this happen. It’s really positive to see the Corps, NRCS, Entergy, and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Division all working together to help WRID meet a common water delivery date to address our farmers water issues,” Dan Hooks, WRID board president, said.

Army Corp of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division Commander Brig.

Gen. Kimberly Peeples recently met with White River Irrigation District administration and board members. General Peeples was on a visit to the Army Corp of Engineers Memphis District Grand Prairie Irrigation Project’s pump station.

Page 4 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 3, 2024

The re-gifting queen of the family . . .

by Dr. James L. Snyder

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7-8).

Calvary Baptist Church West North Front Street, Hazen, AR Phone: (870) 255 - 4038 Christian VanHouten, pastor Sunday School: 9:50 AM Worship: 10:45 AM BTC: 6 PM Evening Worship 6:45 PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7 PM First Baptist Church 224 N. Hazen Ave. Hazen, AR 72064 Phone: (870) 255 - 4464 Sunday Service Sunday School: 10:00 AM Morning Worship: 11:00

Sitting around the Christmas tree with my family and opening up Christmas presents stirred fond memories of my Aunt Edith. She was known as The Regifting Queen of our family. And believe me, she earned that name quite well.

Most of the family didn't catch on to what she was doing. I know I didn't realize it until several years before she passed.

Little did we know that when we gathered as a family at Christmas time, the gifts we received from Aunt Edith were regifted. I had no idea what that meant then, but I was to find out what it was all about.

One of my cousins caught on first. One Christmas, he received a gift that he remembered from last Christmas, which was given to her.

At first, he thought he was imagining things, but as the gifts kept going around, he began to notice that the gifts given to his family members were given to his Aunt Edith last year.

She had it very well worked out because nobody got a gift from her that they gave to her the year before. When my cousin mentioned

this to me, I thought he was joking, and I just went along with him.

But I was to realize that maybe what he was saying was true.

I started paying attention to the gifts Aunt Edith gave to the family so I could remember them for next year. And sure enough, the following year, people received gifts from Aunt Edith that had been given to her the year before.

My cousin looked at me, looked back, and we just smiled, hoping we could keep our secret.

Based on that thought, my cousin and I gave Aunt Edith a present we would want the following year. Sure enough, those gifts appeared to our family from good old Aunt Edith. Everybody smiled, thankful for Aunt Edith's thoughtfulness at Christmas time.

That was the one thing my cousin and I looked forward to each year.

And the thing was, everybody got from Aunt Edith a present they gave her the year before.

She was very good at this regifting.

We discovered that when Auth Edith got a Christmas gift, she always put the giver's name on the gift. That

way, she would not get the gifts mixed when she regifted them.

My cousin and I let it fly because we did not want to embarrass Aunt Edith. She was such a wonderful lady, and we felt that if that was her way of celebrating Christmas, so be it.

As the years went on, Aunt Edith got older. No surprise there.

Everybody gets older.

But as she got older, her memory began to play tricks on her.

I began to notice one year when Aunt Edith gave me a Christmas present that I gave her the year before. Up to this time, that had never happened. She was very particular in how she distributed her regifting.

As I opened my gift from her, I began to chuckle because it was what I gave her last year. I didn't say anything because I respected her and everybody makes mistakes. I just went along with her regifting program.

I almost told my cousin, but I thought I'd just better leave everything under the table at this point.

After all, Christmas is a merry time of the year, and I didn't want to sabotage

the merry element.

Watching Aunt Edith throughout the year, I noticed her memory was slipping. With that in mind, I was anxious for Christmas to come and see how Aunt Edith would handle her regifting.

As it turned out, that year was the last year Aunt Edith was around for Christmas. It was a special Christmas, although we did not know it then.

As the gifts were being passed around and as people began opening their gifts from Aunt Edith, people began to recognize that this was a gift they had given her last year. It was hard for me to believe, but everybody got from Aunt Edith what they had given her the Christmas before.

After all those years of meticulously regifting those Christmas presents, it was finally catching up. Nobody knew what to do or say at that point. Everybody just thanked Aunt Edith for her wonderful Christmas presents. Nobody realized what was happening, but Aunt Edith confused the names on the gifts as the "for" and not the "from."

It wasn't until Aunt

Edith's funeral that people began to share their ideas about Christmas.

Someone said, "Did you know that at the last Christmas party, I received a gift from Aunt Edith that I gave her the year before?"

When she said that, everybody began to laugh and had the same story to tell. Aunt Edith had been meticulously regifting all her Christmas presents for all those years, and nobody knew it until her last Christmas.

What I took away from it is that if I'm going to give a gift, I should give a gift I want to receive myself. And I must thank good old Aunt Edith for that thinking.

I couldn't help but think of a Bible verse. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7-8).

Whatever I do to others will finally come back on me. Give what you want to receive is my motto.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.co m, website www.jamessnyderministries.com.

AM Evening Worship: 6:00 PM Wednesday Service Adult Bible Study and Prayer 7:00 PM Children's Program 7:00 PM "HYPE" Youth 7:00 PM

Hazen First United Methodist Church 211 North Hazen Avenue, Hazen, AR Phone (870) 255 - 4657 Pastor Chris Wright Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship Service: 10:55 AM

Carlisle First Methodist Church 215 East Third St., Carlisle, AR Phone (870) 552 - 7789 Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship: 10:45 AM

Hwy 33 and U.S. 70 Biscoe, Arkansas Sunday Services: 10:30 A.M., 6 P.M. Wednesdays WNYG, Kids Club, Bible Study 7 P.M.

Hazen Church of Christ 204 Adams Street, Hazen, AR. Phone (870) 255 - 3633 Sunday - Bible Study: 10 AM Worship Service: 11 AM Sunday Night: 6 PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7 PM

Immanuel Baptist Church Pastor Bill Ricks Highway 13 North Carlisle, AR. Phone (870) 552 - 3100 Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship:11 AM Sunday Evening: 6 PM Wednesday Evening: 7 PM

Hwy 79 PO Box 158 Ulm, AR 72170 Phone: 870-241-3778 email: zionlutheran@hotmail.com Sunday School at 10 am Worship at 11am Bible study: Wed at 5:30

Center Point Missionary Baptist Church 2997, Center Point Road, Hazen, AR Bro. Brad Crumby Pastor Sunday School: 10 AM Worship: 10:50 AM BTC: 5 PM Worship: 5:50 PM Wednesday - Youth Night 6:30 PM

St. Peters Episcopal Church Highway 86, Tollville, AR. Worship Service: 9 AM Sunday School: 10:30AM Family Christian Fellowship 603 W Washington Hazen, AR. Pastor Scott Skarda 501-516-5971 Sunday: 10 AM, Wed, 7 PM New Bethel MB Church 8525 New Bethel Road P.O. Box 87 Hazen, AR. Pastor Bro. Freddie McCann Sunday School 10 am Sunday Service 11 am Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Pastor Dyrek Foshee 7474 Highway 86 North, Hazen, AR Sunday School: 10 AMService: 11 AM Sunday Night: 5 PM Prairie Chapel MB Church Center of North Washington & Woodlawn, Hazen, AR. Rev. Maurice Williams Pastor Sunday School: 9:30AM Worship: 11AM Wednesday 7 PM Bible Study Carlisle Pentecostal Church of God Scott & McDonald Sts., Carlisle, AR. Phone 501-438-1643 Pastor Daniel Strength Sunday School: 10 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11 AM Sunday Evening Service: 6 PM Wednesday Evening Service: 7 PM Mt Zion MB Church Rt 2 Carlisle, AR Rev. Cruthfield, Pastor Sun. School 9:45 A.M. Worship 11 A.M. Wed Prayer & Bible Class 7 P.M. Fellowship Baptist Church Des Arc, AR Elder Lee Russel Penn, Pastor First Pentecostal Church of Prairie County 3201 Hwy. 70 E., Hazen, AR (870) 255-9177 Pastor J N Holmes Sunday 10 A.M. Wednesday 7 P.M. First Baptist Church 319 Court St., P. O. Box 25, Carlisle, AR Phone (870) 552 - 7732 David Lee - Pastor Sun School: 9:45 AM Worship: 11 AM Awana: 5 PM Worship: 7 PM Holy Temple COGIC Elder McFadden, Pastor

“Catholic Action” with the Third Order of St. Francis

St. John's Lutheran Church Fifth and College Streets, Stuttgart, AR Phone (870) 673 - 2858 Rev. Andrew Toopes, Pastor Worship: 8:00 am-10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Class: 9:15 AM Radio - KWAK 10:15 AM Sundays www.stuttgartlutheran.com

Landmark Baptist Church 517 East Third, Carlisle, AR. Phone (870) 552 - 3568 Pastor Albert Young Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship: 10:45 AM BTC 6 PM - Worship 7 PM Wed. Evening: 7:30 PM St. Rose Catholic Church Highway 70, Carlisle, AR. Phone (870) 552 - 3601 Father Shaun Wesley Sunday Mass 10:30AM English 12:00PM Spanish Tuesday Mass 6:00 PM Wednesday Mass in Spanish 5:30 PM Holy Hour & Confessions 6:05PM Friday (except First Friday) Mass 8:30AM Saturday Mass in Spanish 7:00 PM

St. John's Baptist Church Biscoe, AR 870-998-2777 Sunday School 10 A.M. Worship 11 A.M. Rev. William Brown - pastor Holy Temple Church of God in Christ Elder James Clark, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30 AM Worship Service: 11 AM Jehovah Community Temple Church 710 Sycamore St, DeValls Bluff, AR Elder Ronnie Mosby Sunday 10:30 AM Monday Bible School 7 PM Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Alan Minton Hwy. 70 West of DeValls Bluff Sunday School-10:00 a.m.

Sunday morning -11:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening-5:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night-7:00 p.m.

Zion Lutheran Church

The Apostolic Church of Des Arc 712 Calhoun Street Services Sunday at 10:30 and Wednesday at 7:30 Pastor Russell Penn St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Biscoe Pastor Jerry Saxton Sunday School 10:00-11:00 Service 11:00-12:00 Oasis Church of Hazen 113 North Hazen Ave. Sunday Service 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Service 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Teddy Walker 870-255-5640 Family Worship Center 9th & Main St. Des Arc, AR 72040 Sunday School 10 am Sunday Service 11 am & 6 pm Wednesday Bible Study

United Methodist Church of DeValls Bluff Highway 70 West, DeValls Bluff AR. Pastor Chris Wright Sunday Morning Worship: 9 AM Friendship Lunch: 3rd Wed. of Month, 11:30 AM First Baptist Church of DeValls Bluff Pastor Bobby Powers P. O. Box 358 Highway 70 West, DeValls Bluff, AR. Phone (870) 998 - 7118 Sunday School: 9:45 AM Morning Worship: 11 AM Evening Worship: 5 PM Wednesday Evening: 7 PM

102 West Front Street 870-255-3954

Mount Olive MB Church Highway 70, DeValls Bluff, AR. Rev. Tony Haskins Sunday School: 9:30AM Worship Service: 11 AM Peppers Lake Church of Christ Hwy 302, SE of DeValls Bluff, AR. Sunday - Bible Study: 10 AM Worship: 11 AM Evening Service: 6 PM Wednesday - Bible Study: 7 PM Union Chapel FreeWill Baptist Church Metcalf Road, Rt.1, DeValls Bluff, AR Pastor Darrell Foster Sunday School: 9:30 AM Worship Service: 11 AM Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church Highway 86, Slovak, AR. Fr. Shaun Wesley, School: 9:45 AM Mass: 8:30 AM Thursday Holy Hours 5:00 pm and Mass at 6:00pm Biscoe Baptist Church Biscoe, AR. Pastor David Rogers Sunday School: 10 AM Worship Service: 11 AM & 7 PM Training 6 PM Wed. Serv. 7 PM First Assembly of God

Joshua D. Jacobs & Yvonne J. Petrus Partners

Tax & Accounting Services 101 Highway 70 East, Hazen, AR 72064 Phone: (870) 255-4175 Fax:(870) 255-4176

Herald Publishing Co, Inc. The Grand Prairie Herald Serving the Grand Prairie Publisher/Editor - Roxanne Bradow Accounts/Circulation - Trudy Johnson Phone: 870-255-4538 P.O. Box 370 Hazen, AR 72064 E-mail us at heraldpublishing@gmail.com Visit us at www.herald-publishing.com

Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical Keith Knupp 501.516.8285 knuppinc@hotmail.com

To Whom it May C o n c e r n .

A 2003 Ford Explorer Maroon VIN# IFMSK7D83D6C89747 The above mentioned vehicle was towed to our lot on December 21, 2023 per request of the Hazen Police Department, and was towed to storage lot of 801 Highway 70 West in Hazen. The initial fee due is $250.00. The storage fee due is $50.00 per day and continues to accumulate daily. The administrative fees due are $150.00 for the processing of the lien, the processing of a stolen vehicle report by our Police Department and the processing of certified letters sent to the owner and lien holder (if any) via mail. The above mounts do not reflect the 11% tax that is due upon releasing the vehicle. Tower storage & administrative costs are accuring daily

as legal liability of the owner, Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority lien on the said vehicle and its contents for all such charges.

The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and the lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle.

To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8am5pm, and provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

Please contact us immediately at 870-2553305 if you wish to pick up the above-mentioned vehicle.

Rick Wiggins, Owner Rick’s Automotive and Wrecker Service.

FREE Free fill dirt from ARDOT. Please contact Justin Jones @ 870-255-5268 if interested.

Free Ads for Free Stuff If you’re giving it away, we’ll give you an ad for

free Call 2554538

To Whom it May C o n c e r n .

A 2005 Ford F-150 VIN#IFTPW12545FA42512 The above mentioned vehicle was towed to our lot on December 10, 2023 per request of the Arkansas State Police and was towed to storage lot of 801 Highway 70 West in Hazen. The initial fee due is $125.00. The storage fee due is $50.00 per day and continues to accumulate daily. The administrative fees due are $150.00 for the processing of the lien, the processing of a stolen vehicle report by our Police Department and the processing of certified letters sent to the owner and lien holder (if any) via mail. The above mounts do not reflect the 11% tax that is due upon releasing the vehicle. Tower storage & administrative costs are accuring daily as legal lia-

bility of the owner, Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority lien on the said vehicle and its contents for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and the lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle.

To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, and provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

Please contact us immediately at 870-255-3305 if you wish to pick up the above-mentioned vehicle.

Rick Wiggins, Owner Rick’s Automotive and Wrecker Service.

To Whom it May C o n c e r n .

A 2017 Mercedes Benz E300 VIN# WDDZF4JB4HAO28747 The above mentioned vehicle was towed to our lot on December 24, 2023 per request of the Arkansas State Police and was towed to storage lot of 801 Highway 70 West in Hazen. The initial fee due is $250.00.

The storage fee due is $50.00 per day and continues to accumulate daily. The administrative fees due are $150.00 for the processing of the lien, the processing of a stolen vehicle report by our Police Department and the processing of certified letters sent to the owner and lien holder (if any) via mail. The above mounts do not reflect the 11% tax that is due upon releasing the vehicle.

Tower storage & administrative costs are accuring

daily as legal liability of the owner, Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority lien on the said vehicle and its contents for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and the lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle.

To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, and provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

Please contact us immediately at 870-255-3305 if you wish to pick up the above-mentioned vehicle.

Rick Wiggins, Owner Rick’s Automotive and Wrecker Service.

I am looking for a woman to help take care of a disabled elderly man. Light house cleaning and cooking is required. Some driving is required if a valid D.L. is legal.

Only serious inquiries only.: Call 501-288-5006

Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Carlisle holds Christmas Parade 2023

A last look at Hazen Christmas decorations